Wednesday, December 31, 2008

TV Geek Out Geeks Dana and Heather bid 2008 farewell with a gigantic Gossip Girl geekout covering two episodes, "It's a Wonderful Lie" and "O Brother, Where Bart Thou?" Our favorite Upper East Siders closed out the year with some of season two's best moments, and, as usual, most of them revolved around Chuck and Blair. Their game-playing and doppleganger dates brought wit to "Lie"'s Snowflake Ball drama, but they dropped their poses for real tenderness in "O Brother". Oh, and Bart was killed in a car accident and Lily had a baby waaaay back when with Rufus. Only one more week til Gossip Girl is back with new episodes!

Friday, December 26, 2008

Who knew that Liz Lemon was a very special kind of Mean Girl in high school? Considering that she went into comedy for a living, it's about as surprising as Jack adopting the alter-ego Larry Braverman with such finesse at Liz's high school reunion. We also learned that an Etch-a-Sketch is second only to the almighty Blackberry when it comes to executive accessories -- that Cathy Geiss is always teaching us something. TV Geeks Perry and Heather geek out about "Reunion" immediately after watching it!

Tuesday, December 23, 2008

While TV Geek Out Geek Dana was on a special mission, Perry and Heather watched "The Surplus" and geeked out about it immediately afterward -- no notes, no net, no nothing! Fortunately, this episode of The Office offered plenty of geek fodder: Dwight and Angela's surprise Mennonite wedding, the biggest conflict we've seen between Jim and Pam to date, and, of course, Team Copier vs. Team New Chairs. Like Michael in a Burlington Coat Factory, when we watch The Office, we're literally kings (and queens), and we can't help geeking out about it.

Monday, December 22, 2008

Another show the TV Geek Out geeks have been meaning to get around to talking about is ABC's splashy, Americanized remake of the BBC time-bending favorite Life on Mars. With a tried-and-true storyline and a great cast (Gretchen Mol! Michael Imperioli! Harvey freakin' Keitel!), it seemed like a sure thing, but its first few episodes emphasized kitsch and felt like "That '70s Time-Traveling Cop Show." As the season progressed, however, the show gained its footing -- especially with 2008's last episode, "The Man Who Sold the World." Tense and with more than a little supernatural flair, not to mention a showstopping turn from Dean Winters as Detective Sam Tyler's dad, "The Man Who Sold the World" took Life on Mars from interesting to riveting. We can't wait to geek out about this show more in 2009, especially since it'll follow a TVGO staple, Lost.

Friday, December 19, 2008

Betty goes head-to-head with Mark to win a prestigious spot in the Young Editors Training Program in this sheepishly controversial episode of Ugly Betty. Despite Mark's more polished presentation, Betty garners the coveted spot; however, she declines when Mark insensitively suggests that she only got it because she's Latina. In addition to the very moral Betty's effective dismissal of affirmative action and the further darkening of Mark's character, the episode skirts around issues of being a gay teen without ever giving full voice to them. After Justin's new friend discards him due to peer pressure, Hilda expresses her love of her son's uniqueness. But is it possible to preach acceptance without ever really getting to the heart of the issue? Though TV Geek Out geeks Dana and Heather were fond of "When Betty Met YETI" overall, we couldn't help but question some of its surprising plot developments.

Thursday, December 18, 2008

30 Rock's opening stretch of guest stars ends with Steve Martin's turn as sneaky businessman Gavin Volure. The episode featured some of the funniest people alive and flawlessly structured comedic writing, so why did the TV Geek Out geeks feel let down by it? We discuss everything from Steve Martin's hair to Japanese sex dolls, and agree that even a not-so-great 30 Rock episode is still funnier than almost anything else on television.

Wednesday, December 17, 2008

Grey's Anatomy seemed to go off the deep end with "In the Midnight Hour," resorting to steamy GHOST SEX between Izzie and "Denny" in order to keep beloved guest star Jeffrey Dean Morgan somehow on the program. That might not have even been the most ridiculous element of this particularly absurd episode, which also brought us a covert intern-on-intern appendectomy and a seemingly unbelievable poop transplant between a husband and wife (though that actually has a real medical basis!). Was this the episode where Grey's finally jumped the shark? Did that already happen long ago, or is the show shark-proof? Has Izzie lost her mind, or have the writers lost theirs? The TV Geek Out geeks ponder those questions and more, including how the hell any of the doctors at Seattle Grace even still have a job.

Tuesday, December 16, 2008

Despite providing the episode with its title, Dwight and Michael's attempted frame-job of Toby with a (very fresh-looking) caprese salad is one of the least important things that happens during "Frame Toby." Pam's frustration with returning to the office bubbles over into a not-so anonymous note signed "Disappointed," although she didn't seem to feel that way about Jim's surprise present of his parents' house (or did she?) and Ryan has a farewell makeout session with Kelly before he leaves for Thailand. Evil snails, shag carpeting and disturbing clown paintings and the fine line between controlling and romantic are just some of the creepy and hilarious things the TV Geek Out geeks geek out about this time.

Monday, December 15, 2008

The first half of Heroes' two-episode chapter "The Eclipse" left the TV Geek Out Geeks surprisingly sleepy -- maybe it was the lack of sunlight? Or maybe it was watching every single character encounter the eclipse and their subsequent lack of powers without putting two and two together. At any rate, Sylar and Elle continue their Bonnie and Clyde romance, HRG greatly overestimates Claire's ability to heal during the eclipse, and Mohinder gets his pretty back temporarily (via a pretty gross cocoon-busting scene complete with bloody afterbirth). How the heroes adapted -- or didn't adapt -- to their technical difficulties led to a frustrated, even emotional discussion. Listen, and you'll know what it's like to cry the tears of absurdity.

Thursday, December 11, 2008

Finally, we discuss the epic finale of True Blood's first season. TV Geek Out Geeks Heather and Dana marvel at how much was set up for season two as well as wrapped up from the current storylines -- who knew that knowing who the killer was would make Sookie's final showdown with him even more suspenseful? We're already jonesing for more True Blood like a couple of V addicts, but fear not! We'll be covering the season one episodes we missed earlier this fall.

Wednesday, December 10, 2008

TV Geek Out Geeks Dana and Heather have a fashionably late discussion about the winner of America's Next Top Model's eleventh cycle, the season as a whole, and the future of the show. Is ANTM as fun and fabulous as it used to be? Is Tyra's wackiness threatening to topple the rest of the show? Did we smile with our eyes?

Tuesday, December 9, 2008

Even though we haven't geeked out about Ugly Betty until now, it's one of TV Geek Out geeks Dana and Heather's favorite shows, with its mix of humor, sweetness and fabulous fashionistas. Dana leads this discussion of the show's third season, which has seen Daniel gain (and lose) a son, Amanda become roommates with Betty, and an extended cameo from Lindsay Lohan. Ugly Betty is still in style with us!

Monday, December 8, 2008

Fringe is already famed for its gory mysteries, but the parasite wrapped around a human heart in "In Which We Meet Mr. Jones" had to be one of the young show's creepiest moments so far. The TV Geek Out geeks geek out (and freak out!) about that, as well as the secret message buried in the parasite's DNA, Olivia's tense interview with THE Mr. Jones and Walter's use of Peter as a ventriloquist dummy for the dead. Also, DON'T look at the red and green lights! They're not festive Christmas decorations, but a method of inducing deep hypnosis in "The Equation." Math and music collide in a supposedly dead woman's obsessive quest to solve a mysterious equation. We discuss Dr. Bishop's disturbing trip back into the dark world of the mental institution, where he's trying desperately to obtain clues to help the team locate a kidnapped boy -- introducing us to two new intriguing characters at the asylum, played by the awesome guest actors Randall Duk Kim and William Sadler.

Friday, December 5, 2008

The first episode after Dr. Hahn just got in her car and never came back to Seattle Grace featured an "accordioned homeless guy," introduced Melissa George as Meredith's sexy, edgy friend Sadie and marked the return of Denny ... as a ghost haunting Izzie. Why does Jeffrey Dean Morgan always play the dead guy on TV shows? The TV Geek Out Geeks marvel at the truly strange territory Grey's Anatomy is venturing into.

Thursday, December 4, 2008

The TV Geek Out Geeks would prefer to remember this episode as the one with cameos from some of Night Court's biggest stars than the one guest-starring Jennifer Aniston. To be fair, her game performance proved that she is a TV star first and foremost. Ken-doll had his biggest wish come true, we got tons of insight into Liz's views on relationships and sex, and the TV Geek Out Geeks are ready to start up a franchise of Aquarium nightclubs. Also, the Soup du Jour of the Day is piping hot!

Wednesday, December 3, 2008

Lots of things came full circle on the penultimate episode of True Blood's first season -- namely, Jason and Amy's doomed relationship and the reveal of just who the killer plaguing Bon Temps really was. However, just as many stories and characters were set up or turned on their heads: "Freelance social worker" Maryann seems too good to be true, and newly-made vampire Jessica is less about God-fearing and more about hell-raising, much to Bill's chagrin. Oh, and Sam and Sookie almost kiss. It's these kinds of wild mood swings and mysteries that have the TV Geek Out Geeks already missing the show.

Tuesday, December 2, 2008

TV Geek Out Geek Dana continues to school us on House's fifth season, giving us the skinny on "The Itch," which starred character actor extraordinaire Todd Louiso as an agoraphobic, and "Emancipation," which featured a 16 year-old whose arsenic poisoning was the least of her problems.

Monday, December 1, 2008

Heroes went back to the present with "It's Coming," but Hiro regressed to his 10-year-old mentality, and once again, it's all about Claire being special ("save the cheerleader, save the powers"?). Despite some cool scenes -- most of which involved Parkman, Daphne and Angela Petrelli -- the episode still lagged. "It" might be coming, but the TV Geek Out Geek's patience is definitely leaving.

Wednesday, November 26, 2008

"I Don't Wanna Know" found most of True Blood's characters in major denial -- almost as much denial as the TV Geek Out geeks are in about the fact that the show's first season is almost over! It's gritty, it's bleak and it's often sad (poor teenage shape-shifting Sam!) We also learn that Bill has a loofah, what ipecac does and get a few more clues as to who the killer might be. The TV Geek Out Geeks don't wanna know about evil, they just wanna talk about it all.

Check it out here, and feel free to drop us a line at TVGeekOut.at.gmail.com.

Even though "The Magnificent Archibalds" had a kidnapping plan courtesy of Nate's dad and the revelation that Bart Bass is keeping his entire family under surveillance, it was a surprisingly low-key Thanksgiving for our favorite Upper East Siders. Maybe it was an early case of turkey coma? The TV Geek Out geeks heat up the Gossip Girl leftovers.

Tuesday, November 25, 2008

Michael, Oscar and Andy's jaunt to exotic Winnipeg in "Business Trip" resulted in some of the season's biggest developments. Andy was back to first base with Angela, Ryan and Kelly are back together, and Michael is alone again, naturally. Did Pam "come back the right way?" Was Darryl happy about his breakup with Kelly? Are butt-themed jokes a running gag this season? The TV Geek Out Geeks enjoy some "bad decisions in a glass" as they discuss these issues and more.

Check it out here, and don't forget to e-mail us at TVGeekOut.at.gmail.com.

Monday, November 24, 2008

Things get a little emotional as TV Geek Out geeks Dana and Heather discuss "Oh Oh Oh ... It's Magic," and that was even before we heard news that our beloved show was canceled. The news couldn't have come at a more bittersweet time, since this was one of the second season's best episodes, with spectacular magic tricks, fraternal bonding and some terrific cameos.

In light of ABC's pre-Thanksgiving cancellation bloodbath, we also present a mini-rant about one of the network's biggest disappointments, Dirty Sexy Money. We can't believe it's over! Not the show, unfortunately -- the writing has been on the wall regarding DSM's fate for awhile -- but in Nick and Lisa George's marriage. They split in "The Injured Party," but will they reconcile yet again? The TV Geek Out geeks wonder if 30 Rock's Kathy "KISS! KISS! KISS!" Geiss isn't behind Dirty Sexy Money's ridiculous twists.

Check it out here (Dirty Sexy Money starts at 14:37) and don't hesitate to drop us a line at TVGeekOut@gmail.com.

Friday, November 21, 2008

Well, we've been discussing the possibility for weeks, but now it's official -- Pushing Daisies' flagging ratings have led to its untimely demise. In probably the most disheartening premature cancellation in years, ABC has axed our beloved series. The happy little show about life and death never failed to deliver exuberant, joyful, human, genuine, fantastically delicious stories, with some of the most original characters and storylines to ever grace the small screen. From charmingly literary names like Olive Snook and Emerson Cod to the endearing characters themselves to the sardonically warm writing, the amazing eye-candy visuals, and everything else that made up the show, Pushing Daisies was the definition of Whimsy, with a capital W. The only consolation is knowing that the immensely talented people involved are likely to follow up their work on the series with similarly impressive projects. We look forward to seeing what Bryan Fuller cooks up next (or, if he returns to Heroes, just how awesome that show could get again); as well as to future appearances on the big and small screens by Lee Pace, Kristin Chenoweth, Anna Friel, Chi McBride, Ellen Greene, and Swoosie Kurtz -- and Jim Dale can narrate our TV shows anytime! We're glad we had you in our lives for a while, but Pushing Daisies, you will be greatly missed. You'd better bet we're going to enjoy every minute of the last seven episodes of the series. Stay tuned for more geeky discussions of each and every one.

Thursday, November 20, 2008

Our resident House geek Dana brings us up to speed on season five's goings-on, and what goings-on they are: Lesbian one-night stands! House and Wilson's troubled bromance! That Cuddy kiss! And of course, lots more medical mysteries that aren't lupus... or cancer. Look for discussions of individual House episodes soon!

Wednesday, November 19, 2008

The yearly customer survey is upon Dunder Mifflin again, and Dwight and Jim aren't just robbed of good reviews -- they're mugged! Hypothetical sales, a crucial missed America's Got Talent party and more of Angry Andy made this one of the wackier episodes of the season. Did the "I was raped" joke go too far? Was Dwight's mustardy shirt more of a spicy brown or French's yellow? Was the world's smallest bluetooth a big mistake for Jam? The TV Geek Out geeks ponder it all over piping hot drinks served in their party favor mugs.

Tuesday, November 18, 2008

It's a gargantuan Gossip Girl geek out! The TV Geek Out Geeks cover two episodes this time, "There Might Be Blood' and "Bonfire of the Vanity." The rise and fall of Little J -- not to mention the fierce and frequent catfights she had with Agnes -- as well as Rufus' lacking parenting skills, Dan's brief career as an investigative journalist, and the addition of Wallace Shawn as Eleanor Waldorf's squeeze Cyrus Rose are all grist for the TVGO mill.

Monday, November 17, 2008

"Villains" took Heroes back in time courtesy of Hiro's spirit walk, filling in some gaps that needed it badly (Arthur and Angela Petrelli's relationship) and others that didn't really need explanation (couldn't we just leave Sylar as an awesomely creepy, power-hungry cipher?). Some of season three's most neglected characters -- namely, HRG and Nathan Petrelli -- got some much-needed airtime, but after trying to track some of the biggest twists and turns in the Heroes mythology, the TV Geek Out Geeks need Linderman to heal our brains.

One of the bigger successes of the Fall 2008 TV season is Fringe, the latest brain-teasing show from the mind of J.J. Abrams. The show's stories exsist on the periphery of science fact and science fiction, and characters like FBI agents Olivia Dunham and Peter Bishop and Peter's estrangd father, the literally mad scientist Dr. Walter Bishop, give the show its own personality (despite the similarities to beloved shows like The X Files). TV Geek Out geek Dana brings us up to speed on the season so far, and look for discussions on individual episodes soon!

Saturday, November 15, 2008

"Plaisir d'Amour" refers to the fleeting joy of love and its lingering pain, but every drop of this episode's blood-soaked angst was a pleasure to watch. Among other things, we learned what happens when you stake a vampire, what sex on V is like and the depth of Amy's psychopathic tendencies. The TV Geek Out geeks discuss it all and get the last bit of Longshadow out of their collective cleavage. The Soup du Jour of the Day is also on the menu.

Friday, November 14, 2008

"Believe in the Stars" saw the first of 30 Rock's megastar cameos for this season, with a turn by Oprah Winfrey -- or should we call her Borpo? The show used her so cleverly that it eased most of the TV Geek Out geeks' fears that 30 Rock wouldn't be able to justify its guest stars with great situations. We also geek out on Jack McBrayer, who tops TV Geek Out's list of favorite things (although sweater capes and calypso music were a close second and third).

Thursday, November 13, 2008

All hail Stephen Root, the character actor extraordinaire who has graced two TV Geek Out favorites, True Blood and Pushing Daisies, in a matter of weeks. We meet Root's mysterious, more than a little sinister character Dwight in "Dim Sum Lose Some," which boasts even more Chinese food and gambling than you'd expect based on that title. The TV Geek Out gang savors every delicious Daisies morsel.

Tuesday, November 11, 2008

The firing of Brooke Smith, a.k.a. Dr. Hahn and one part of Grey's Anatomy's lesbian couple Callica, made headlines and raised eybrows. Why has ABC suddenly become squeamish about gay relationships? Could there have been other reasons for the firing? Why do all the doctors at Seattle Grace become idiots once they fall in love (or lust) with each other? The TV Geek Out geeks vent about Smith's firing.

Monday, November 10, 2008

The TV Geek Out gang celebrates the first back-to-back episodes of The Office and 30 Rock this season with a wide-ranging discussion about the return of Angry Andy, the maturity of Earnest Jim, and the pathetic love life of Poor Poor Pitiful Michael. Then the trio shower love on Will Arnett, and analyze the thin line between “guest stars” and “stunt casting.”

It seems like Heroes is just as embattled offscreen as well as on: Writers/producers Jeph Loeb and Jesse Alexander were fired, and a scathing Entertainment Weekly cover story wonders where it all went wrong. Unfortunately, "Eris Quod Sum"'s confusing plot twists and lack of character development only underscore why Heroes is a show in crisis. The TV Geek Out gang talks about the firings and what's good, bad and needs to be changed about the show.

Saturday, November 8, 2008

In "Pret a Poor J," Little J becomes a great big spoiled brat, thanks to the bad influence of her new model friend Agnes (played by the O.C.'s former little hell on wheels, Willa Holland). Dan takes a page from the scheming playbook of the Upper East Siders, sabatoging Blair's attempt to say those "three little words" to Chuck. Serena finds Aaron, an even duller (albeit more successful) artsy-type guy to crush on than Dan was. The TV Geek Out geeks marvel at the different ways Gossip Girl's art manages to imitate life.

Friday, November 7, 2008

In "The Fourth Man in the Fire," Bill and Sookie get down and dirty, which is nothing new, but this time they do so literally. In the graveyard. Post-exorcism Lettie Mae is a domestic goddess, whipping up pancakes and wearing fabulous hats, which sets off Tara's insecurity -- or is that her demon? We also learn what happens when you burn a vampire and once again, the show ends with an almost unbearable cliffhanger. The TV Geek Out Squad geeks out about it all, and marvels at how fast True Blood's first season has flown.

Wednesday, November 5, 2008

Only Pushing Daisies would have a murder mystery involving a rent-a-friend service, taxidermy and a hugging machine. "Frescorts" had all of this, plus more insight into Emerson Cod, his badass private eye mom, Ned's codepency issues and the too-fast friendship between Chuck and Olive. Is too much friendship too much of a good thing? The TV Geek Out geeks discuss.

Monday, November 3, 2008

The dangerous liaisons of Chuck and Blair continue in "Chuck in Real Life" as the duo use Vanessa -- and the Brooklyn jazz bar she wants to save from demolition -- as pawns in their love-hate affair. Meanwhile, Dan tries to be a dude, Serena rebels against her mom's part-time parenting, Nate tries to hide his family's financial problems, and what may be the first African-American man on the show makes an appearance. The TV Geek Out geeks geek out about it all.

It's a Mad Men extravaganza! Not only do we discuss everything that happened in the second season finale "Meditations in an Emergency," we talk about the cliffhangers and everything else that we'll need to wait until next summer to find out about. The TV Geek Out gang also sings the praises of Jon Hamm's starring turn on Saturday Night Live, and sends their best to Amy Poehler and Will Arnett's baby boy Archie Arnett.

Sunday, November 2, 2008

Is a butter-covered watermelon the best approximation of a newborn? Just who could Jan's sperm donor be? Are the Office writers manufacturing too many problems between Jim and Pam? The TV Geek Out squad discusses these questions about "Baby Shower," and introduces The Soup du Jour of the Day. Eat up!

In this episode, Olive Snook isn't just a member of Pushing Daisies' mystery-solving squad, she's also a client -- and a better nun than some of the other sisters at the nunnery. The TV Geek Out geeks celebrate Pushing Daisies' return, dissect "Bad Habits"' filmic nods and much, much more.

The fifth and (probably) final Bravo season of Project Runway ended with Tim Gunn serving as an eleventh-hour guest judge and Portland native Leanne winning it all. It wasn't a surprising outcome, but then again, the most remarkable thing about this season may have been its lack of surprises. TV Geek Out does a fashionably late post mortem on the finale and season five as a whole.

In this episode of TV Geek Out, we discuss the Heroes episode "The Dying of the Light." New villains Arthur Petrelli and Eric Doyle, Hiro's crafty ways and allusions to Dylan Thomas poems are just some of the geek out fodder we cover. Special guest Geek Tracie joins us for this discussion!